A Study on Minorities in Somalia
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A STUDY ON MINORITIES IN SOMALIA TABLE OF CONTENT Executive Summary.......................................................................................................2 1. Introduction to Study ..................................................................................................3 1.1 Purpose..............................................................................................................3 1.2 Methodology.......................................................................................................3 2. Background ................................................................................................................3 2.1 Minority Clans ....................................................................................................4 3 Findings ......................................................................................................................4 3.1 Social, economic and political exploitation/exclusion........................................4 3.2 Economic exclusion ...........................................................................................5 3.3 Armed conflict ....................................................................................................5 3.4 Current security conditions ................................................................................6 3.5 Minority returnees ..............................................................................................7 3.6 Current conditions ..............................................................................................8 3.7 Access to basic needs .......................................................................................9 4 Conclusions and Recommendations ...................................................................10 Table. 1: Main minority groups in Somalia ..........................................................12 UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES UNCU/UN-OCHA SOMALIA A STUDY ON MINORITY GROUPS IN SOMALIA Executive Summary Until recently, many people perceived Somalia as a country with a population of 7,000,0000 people who share one culture, one language and one religion. This was the impression given during previous regimes in order to sustain the illusion of homogeneity. One of the things that were deliberately downplayed was the existence of minority groups. Although the population of minority groups living in Somalia has not as yet been established, estimates indicate that they constitute one third of the total Somalia population; approximately 2,000,000 people. The minority groups include Bantu, Bravenese, Rerhamar, Bajuni, Eyle, Galgala, Tumal, Yibir and Gaboye. These groups continue to live in conditions of great poverty and suffer numerous forms of discrimination and exclusion. The Socio economic problems faced by minority groups in Somalia existed prior to the armed conflict that continues in parts of Somalia following the overthrow of the dictator Siyad Barre in 1991, and the subsequent collapse of a Somalia national government. These problems have arisen as a result of cultural values that segregate and exclude the minority groups from dominant clan societies. These minority groups are considered inferior, without full rights, hence their low social, economic and political status. As a result of social segregation, economic deprivation and political manipulation minority groups were systematically excluded from mainstream government positions and the few minorities who held positions had no power to speak on behalf of their communities. Furthermore, as a result of their distinct ethnic identity, some minorities, particular the Bantu and Bajuni have suffered systematic confiscation of their lands and properties. In other cases, minority groups have been politically manipulated to oppose certain dominant clans. This resulted in animosity between some minority groups and dominant clans. When the Somalia state collapsed, the minority clans suffered brutal reprisals. Unlike other clans from dominant groups, minorities lack international support in the form of regular remittances. Recurrent insecurity caused by conflict creates an environment where minority groups are vulnerable and abnormally displaced from their homes. Notably, some minority groups who were abnormally displaced lost their lands, which were reallocated. Insecurity further affects the delivery of services to minority groups post-displacement in areas such as Kismayo, Jilib and Luuq. However, in areas like Hargeisa, Beletweyne, Jowhar and Ballad where security is not a big problem, minority groups \ receive very little assistance from aid agencies. Estimates indicate that about seventy per cent of the minorities who live in IDP camps or returnee settlements have difficulties in accessing adequate food, proper shelter and education. In a country where there is no national Government that would be responsible for safeguarding and upholding the rights of minority groups, Somalia minorities are truly in a vulnerable position. Careful and thorough attention needs to be focused on the issues faced by vulnerable populations in order to develop concrete assistance 2 strategies that will have a positive impact on the security and livelihoods of minority groups. 1. Introduction to Study In the analysis of this study, it has been found that social segregation and other forms of discrimination, in addition to economic exclusion are some of the key factors in the creation of a wide socio-economic gap between dominant clans and minority groups. Social segregation is a deep-rooted social issue that divides the Somali society into two categories; laandeer (noble) and langaab (inferior). In Somalia, it is generally the case that noble groups are those belong to the culturally dominant group of transhumant pastoralists, who form nearly sixty per cent of the total population. Groups that are not pastoralist are often considered inferior and this includes all minority groups. It is important to note nonetheless that not all non- pastoralists are minorities. For instance, the Rahanweyn clan is made up of settled agriculturalists. 1.1 Purpose This survey has been carried out in order to assess and analyse the socio-economic conditions of minority groups with which modalities can be mapped out to provide them with adequate international assistance subsequently. 1.2 Methodology The methodology adopted for the study comprised qualitative and quantitative assessment. Qualitative assessments involved group discussions and interviews with informants from the minority groups, elders, leaders, intellectuals and humanitarian workers. Quantitative assessments involved the use of semi-structured interviews conducted with 5% to 10% of the minority households in the visited areas using random sampling. Information collected included access to basic needs such as food, water, shelter, health care and education. Other information collected includes their social relationship with dominant clans and their access to protection and humanitarian assistance. Areas visited include Kismayo and Jamame in Lower Juba regions, where Bantu, Bajuni and Galgala live; Jilib in Middle Juba region where Bantu (wa Gosha) live; Jowhar and Balad in Middle Shabelle region where Bantu (Shidle) live; Beletweyn in Hiran region where Bantu (Makane) live and Hargeisa, where the Gaboye, Tumal and Yibir live. Areas including Merka, Barave and Bossaso were not visited due to security reasons. The reason for the wide geographical coverage was in order to observe how varying socio-economic conditions in different locations affect the living conditions of minority groups. The emerging differences are not glaring because all the minority groups live below the threshold of acceptable living standards 2. Background Social segregation of minority groups in Somalia dates back to periods before the armed conflict of 1991. Siyad Barre’s regime gave minority issues some prominent and positioned some minorities, mainly from the Gaboye (Midgan), Tumal and Yibir in high military and government posts. However, the regime did not carry out any tangible programmes to empower minority groups. On the contrary, it seriously violated the basic human rights and right to development of these groups. 3 2.1 Minority Clans Bantu The Bantu are believed to be descendants of Bantu communities in East and Central Africa from regions like Tanzania and Malawi, brought into Somalia by Arab slave traders. However, there are also other Bantu who are believed to be non-Somali, who lived in Somalia before the arrival of the aforementioned Bantu. Most of the Bantu are small-scale farmers who live in the riverine areas along the Juba and Shabelle rivers, the only permanent rivers that run through southern Somalia Rerhamar and Baravnese The Rerhamar and Baravnese are believed to be descendents of Arab immigrant settlers from Yemen and Far East countries. They settled in coastal towns of southern Somalia some ten centuries ago. Most of them are traders. Bajuni The Bajuni are a people related to the coastal people (Waswahili) along the Eastern African Coast. They live in Kismayo and the Islands of Jula, Madoga, Satarani, Raskamboni, Bungabo, Dudey, Koyoma and Jovay (Bajuni Islands). They are a seafaring community. Gaboye, Tumal, Yibir and Galagala The Gaboye, Tumal, Yibir and Galgala are ethnically associated with the Samale, which forms a dominant clan in Somalia. However, cultural stigma and traditions have excluded them as outcastes from the Samale clan. They engage in the